Tracked van conversion

MNoutdoors RIP · Feb 26, 2008

Here are a couple of pics of a track conversion van running fisherman out to the fish houses on Lake of the woods on the Canada border. the trip is normally 38 miles one way so they need something pretty fast and it must float if it goes through. lots off old Bombardier buses running up their too.
they use a inflatable CO2 bag if the machine goes through this van has built in flotation under the seats and in the front.

fogtender · Feb 26, 2008

boggie said:
Here are a couple of pics of a track conversion van running fisherman out to the fish houses on Lake of the woods on the Canada border. the trip is normally 38 miles one way so they need something pretty fast and it must float if it goes through. lots off old Bombardier buses running up their too.
they use a inflatable CO2 bag if the machine goes through this van has built in flotation under the seats and in the front.

Looks neat, but even if it floats, you are going to be in very cold water up to your waist at best and far from shore and warmth... Don't see any excape hatches on the roof in the event that it did go though, the back door wouldn't open either in the event of water pressure against them.... but still looks like a neat rig to have up here for where we go...

How fast are they crossing the ice with these, any idea? I would think if it was flat out there, a snowmachine would be a lot quicker... You can fly at forty miles an hour or faster verses about ten to fifteen or so in these?

MNoutdoors RIP · Feb 26, 2008

fogtender said:
Looks neat, but even if it floats, you are going to be in very cold water up to your waist at best and far from shore and warmth... Don't see any excape hatches on the roof in the event that it did go though, the back door wouldn't open either in the event of water pressure against them.... but still looks like a neat rig to have up here for where we go...

How fast are they crossing the ice with these, any idea? I would think if it was flat out there, a snowmachine would be a lot quicker... You can fly at forty miles an hour or faster verses about ten to fifteen or so in these?

These are running a lot faster than 10-15 mph running at 45-50 mph hauling 12-14 people at a time dropping off at rentals all across the lake they run all day moving dozens and dozens of people every day last year this one put on 8000 miles in one season. since they a commercial carrier they are required to have the floatation. they never used to till some people died. since they have been required to float I do not think their has been one fatality. Lake of the woods is a very big lake several hundred miles across. their are many many of these transports operating up there. all different kinds

fogtender · Feb 26, 2008

boggie said:
These are running a lot faster than 10-15 mph running at 45-50 mph hauling 12-14 people at a time dropping off at rentals all across the lake they run all day moving dozens and dozens of people every day last year this one put on 8000 miles in one season. since they a commercial carrier they are required to have the floatation. they never used to till some people died. since they have been required to float I do not think their has been one fatality. Lake of the woods is a very big lake several hundred miles across. their are many many of these transports operating up there. all different kinds

Wow, at that kind of speed, you don't want to be throwing a couple of pound cleat off the track.... Must be a pretty nice ride then...

MNoutdoors RIP · Feb 26, 2008

fogtender said:
Wow, at that kind of speed, you don't want to be throwing a couple of pound cleat off the track.... Must be a pretty nice ride then...

They do ride very smooth... looked it up the lake is only 90 miles approx. long and 55 miles wide and has 65,000 miles of shoreline.....even the old buses are running at about 35-45 depending on surface ruffness....

pixie · Feb 26, 2008

That's really cool !!! Thanks for the pictures

Looks like Bombardier grousers, what kind of differential ?

dansvan · Feb 26, 2008

Tell me about the co2 inflated bladders?

Av8r3400 · Feb 26, 2008

pixie said:
what kind of differential ?

I'd be willing to bet it uses the OEM Chevy driveline, including the differential.

MNoutdoors RIP · Feb 26, 2008

dansvan said:
Tell me about the co2 inflated bladders?

Well, as far as what I know about them they are using a tank simular to a scuba tank or tanks on the bigger ones and a quick release valve that inflates a pvc bladder strapped on the outside of the rig its mounted to in the event it is needed to be deployed it is just pull the cord and just like a huge air bag its filled. allowing it to not sink to the bottom of the lake.

MNoutdoors RIP · Feb 26, 2008

pixie said:
That's really cool !!! Thanks for the pictures

Looks like Bombardier grousers, what kind of differential ?

They are bus grousers but longer belts of course. one ton differential

Tracked van conversion

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